Learn to Ski After 40

If you've dreamed of seeing yourself gracefully making your way down a snowy mountain but lacked the time to learn to ski, it's not too late if you're 40... or 50... or 60... or even older, as long as you're in good shape and have endurance.

"It's never too late for adults to enter the sport but it's incredibly important for them to learn how to ski properly," says Dan Sherman, managing director of marketing for Ski.com.

"By understanding the fundamentals and building a foundation," Sherman continues,  "adults are able to learn much faster, more effectively and will be doing things the correct way from the start. Combining those skills with the knowledge of how to properly and safely use the equipment ensures a positive experience and will keep people coming back for the rest of their lives."

Writer and adventurer Evelyn Kanter, who's been skiing for decades, advises, "Seek out a women-only learning program.  Women learn differently than men, and the camaraderie and support level increases significantly when there's no testosterone to get in the way of improving your skills. There are women's week programs, or days, at many resorts. Several former World Cup racers, including Kim Reichelm, have excellent women's only programs."

Kanter adds, "Be sure your instructor is a 'grown-up,' since younger instructors may not be as patient with any physical limitations, such as being able to pull ourselves back up to standing from one side, but not the other.  

"Although I'm an accomplished skier, my first snowboard lesson at age 40+ was a disaster because the young instructor treated me like his mother — or worse.  Rather than giving up, I insisted on a 'make good' lesson with an adult instructor, and by the end of that hour, I was fluttering down the beginner slope with a silly grin on my face."

Where to Learn to Ski

Major destination ski resorts across the world have developed excellent ski school programs for adults. Almost all offer private lessons (at a premium price), where adults receive personal attention and instruction at a pace that suits them best. Some recommended ski school programs:

Aspen/Snowmass, Colorado

World-class ski school and beginner terrain across four mountains. The pros here get adult beginners out and about on "easy" runs that will challenge them just enough. The accelerated learning method and equipment can make things easier. Participants learn the basics of skiing or snowboarding from top pros that practice a teaching method promoting peak performance and confidence and educates people about the right equipment and mountain awareness. 

Park City Mountain Resort, Utah
Assortment of classes for adults on beginner terrain. Signature "Never Ever" Half Day Lessons introduce a maximum of five people to the sport in a 3-hour semi-private lesson. Park City's  Learning Zone has two dedicated magic carpet lifts for Ski and Snowboard School guests only. 

Adult Group Half Day Lessons are for beginners through intermediates and focus on fundamental skills and movement.  Instructors aim to boost confidence while taking participants' skiing  to the next level safely and effectively.

Steamboat Springs, Colorado
The premier season long, learn-to-ski clinic, where everything is taken care of for first-timers. Three full days of instruction, gear rental, lift tickets and the same instructor all three days. 

Stowe, Vermont
Stowe for Starters  program is the most economical way to receive coaching by professionals and includes up to two 90-minute lessons and an all-mountain lift ticket.

For more information, visit Ski.com and About Ski Schools.